1. Policy Change:
Over the last five years, especially in the wake of COVID, we have seen a wonderful growth in the homeschooling community. Our business has felt the effects of that growth, and we have been blessed to receive, on average, over 100 boxes of books on consignment each week this past summer. While this is amazing, it is also a lot of work, and as many of you know, my daughter joined the team this year to help and to learn the business with the goal of eventually taking over. However, she has been essentially volunteering for the last six months because the store doesn’t generate enough revenue to cover the costs of the three employees needed to run registers, assist customers, and process, price, and stock books.
In an effort to understand what we could do better, I researched the policies and practices of similar stores nationwide. I found most of those stores only offer store credit, and consignors receive 10%-40% of the sale. They tend to sell at higher prices and more severely restrict what they will take. So knowing this, we identified the things about the store we absolutely want to protect:
- First and foremost, this is God’s business; we just manage it. It has always been my goal to serve the homeschool community, and that is not changing.
- We don’t believe in just giving store credit. We aren’t going to lock our consignors into shopping with us, and if you can take your credit in cash and find a better deal elsewhere, then we believe that should be an option.
- We want to keep our prices low. Inflation already impacts everyone, but home education shouldn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. We intend to keep our bargain section and to maintain our used prices at 40%-50% off retail for as long as possible.
So after all the research, running the numbers, and praying for guidance, we have settled on a 10% shift in the consignment split. Historically, we have given 50% of every used book sale back to the consignor, but starting January 1, 2026, we will be shifting this to 40%. Everything earned will still be able to be paid out in cash, and nothing else will change.
This will include all books in inventory as of January 1. If you have previously consigned your books and would prefer to take them back instead, you are welcome to do so, as always.
It has been a blessing to me to be able to dedicate my life’s work to the homeschool community, and I am excited to see the next generation pick up the mantle and continue that mission. My goal is to ensure that PACE remains a place that encourages, serves, and equips homeschoolers for years to come. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all my customers who have made the store possible and whose support ensures that its legacy will continue in the families it serves.
2. Tis that season of the year–consignment payout! If your account has $25 or more, and you have not asked me to hold your money for in-store shopping, you can expect to get a check in a few weeks.
3. We have temporary moratoriums on accepting certain curriculums right now due to overstock. The biggies are Math-U-See and Teaching Textbooks. Please note: Teaching Textbooks will stop supporting their CDs at the end of this year–meaning new owners won’t be able to get access codes to run the CDs on their computer. So we will no longer stock the CDs starting in January. And if you’re considering TT with CD instruction, get it now and get it registered while you can. We will continue to carry the workbook. Though they changed the covers, the workbooks match the online content.
4. Current hours are T/W 12-4, and other days by appointment (with 24 hour notice). Consignments can be brought in any open day without prior notice (unless you’re bringing it in a trailer, then a head’s up is appreciated). 😊
Sincerely,
Julie Helms
25 Ridge Rd, Dillsburg PA 17019
717-432-9947 / PACEbooks@live.com
Pennsylvania Curriculum Exchange 